It was not the chopper.
Mike was both a friend and co worker.
He owned 2 bikes a Kawi Vulcan that he called his "Beat around bike" and the Chopper his real bike.
The call I got this morning was from another friend and coworker, who was wrong about the bike Mike was on when it happened.It was the Kawi. He called becuase he did not want me to get hit with the news as soon as I walked in the door.
Thoughtful of him realy.
Its normal for me to arrive at work around an hour before 1st shift leaves. Of the 12 or so bikers that work the first shift.All but 2 had left early.The 2 still there are supervisors and could not go.
I got what information was known. It came from his Dad so I believe it to be accurate.
It happened sunday around 7pm. Mike was on the Kawi. He was hit from the side by a cage. As of right now I dont know age or gender of the driver or type of vehicle, or weather or not alcohol was involed.Mike was not a helmet wearer, but cause of death was not head injury. He died from blood loss due to severed main artery in his leg.(Big Poppy if you see this. I dont know if it was RT6 or not but that was my first guess also.)As yet I have seen nothing of it on the news.
I dont know how this will sound but I was glad to here it was not the chopper he was riding.The Triumph was originally his Fathers. After some coaxing Mike finally convinced his Dad to sell it to him in pieces. I helped him in puttting it together. And joked that the thing was a death trap. And busted his stones about the oil leak.
I recall saying to him once "Be carful when you pull out,you dont want to get any of that oil on your back tire." his reply was "Thats my custom dip stick. If there is no puddle, I know I'm out of oil". I also would hate to think that his Dad somhow felt responsable,for having sold him the bike.
I'm sorry if this sounds like a eulogy, but this one has hit very close to home.
